Au Naturel

Au naturel, a cliché said quite frequently.  To be “natural” is something that people strive for in many aspects of their life.  Act natural, look natural, and eat natural food are just a few examples.  In “all natural” pop chips the motto is “Think popped! Never fried. Never baked.”  Pop Chips is broadcasting its naturally good flavor that is produced in a healthier way. 

 

Featured in the ad is pop start Katy Perry.  Katy Perry is known as a model who promotes being you.  She is a model especially to those who are afraid to be different.  Katy encourages her fans to be who they want to be, to not hold back, to be bold and have fun, all while staying true to yourself.  She is also known for her D size boobs, which according to her are all natural as well.

In the Pop Chips ad, Katy is holding two bags of the chips over each of her breasts.  Her usually protuberant cleavage is completely concealed in a conservative dress.  This is down playing her boobs and playing up the bag of chips which are “taking the place” of her boobs.  The chips are replacing Katy’s breasts because the marketers are displaying that there product is natural just like Katy.

Across the top of the advertisement is the slogan “Nothing fake about ‘em.”  This can be related to both the chips and Katy’s body.  Under the eye-catching slogan is a quote from Katy: “I’m not into phonies.  Good thing there’s nothing fake or phony in Pop Chips.  They only taste like they’re bad for you.”  Her quote insinuates that she feels like she is doing something naughty even though she is not.  This goes right along with Katy’s persona.  She has kissed a girl and she liked it, even though she is heterosexual.  Katy has tip-toed the boundary of what is appropriate for a girl to do.  Compared to current rappers, Katy Perry’s song lyrics are innocuous but she is a hot topic in the media while the lyrics in rap songs not given a second glance.  Aside from her lyrics, Katy’s outlandish costumes are always something of discussion.  On various occasions she has donned blue hair and crystal eyelashes.  Her music video performances showcase her female assets quite often, for example shooting both whipped cream and fireworks out of her breasts. Katy’s spunky personality and boldness (which is only rivaled by the color of her lipstick) is what makes Katy, Katy.

   According to Holly Devour in Gender Blending woman are expected to look aesthetically pleasing, Katy is usually smiling and not portrayed as serious or stern.  Katy shows “greater exposure if the bare skin, and an emphasis on sexual characteristics.” She plays up her femininity by flaunting cleavage and wearing extreme pinup shorts.  However Katy does not hold back on masculine traits.  She is bold and outspoken.  Katy contradicts the feminine dress with her masculine confidence and speech patterns. Katy Perry is the perfect example of blurring gender lines.   Katy tells her fans to stand up for themselves, that they are fireworks and to show the world what they are worth.  This is not the submissiveness and passivity that women are expected to portray.  Katy Perry is a model with desirable confidence.  That confidence gives her the ability to be herself, to act natural.  Like the Pop Chips, Katy is a natural at being her natural self.